[08/21/07 - 02:17 PM]NBC Universal Celebrates Diversity with Second Annual 'Comedy Short Cuts' Film Festival Honoring Semi-Finalist Filmmakers on September 6 in New York CityThe semi-finalist screening, hosted by the cast of NBC's "30 Rock," will begin at 7 p.m. on September 6 at the New World Stages in New York.

[via press release from NBC]

NBC UNIVERSAL CELEBRATES DIVERSITY WITH SECOND ANNUAL 'COMEDY SHORT CUTS' FILM FESTIVAL HONORING SEMI-FINALIST FILMMAKERS ON SEPTEMBER 6 IN NEW YORK CITY

NBC UNIVERSAL CELEBRATES DIVERSITY WITH SECOND ANNUAL 'COMEDY SHORT CUTS' FILM FESTIVAL HONORING SEMI-FINALIST FILMMAKERS ON SEPTEMBER 6 IN NEW YORK CITY

BURBANK - August 21, 2007 - NBC Universal's multi-pronged creative entities will conduct the company's second annual "Comedy Short Cuts" Diversity Film Festival honoring this year's semi-finalist filmmakers on September 6 in New York City as part of the New York Television Festival, it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"This innovative program will encourage creativity and promote diversity for promising filmmakers who might not otherwise have a chance to screen their work at a top-flight festival," said Silverman. "We also want to provide an outlet for their work to be viewed by influential executives and we look forward to seeing what they can bring to the festival."

Comedy Short Cuts is just one of many live events that NBC's Talent Diversity Initiative produces to cultivate diversity both in front of and behind the camera. Creative executives from this year's executive selection committee represent NBC, Universal Media Studios, SCI FI, Bravo, USA, Focus Features, Rogue Pictures and the Sundance Channel.

The Comedy Short Cuts festival is also a celebration of www.diversecitynbc.com <<>>, the online community that serves as a hub for diversity across all aspects of the entertainment industry spearheaded by Damona Resnick, Director Talent Diversity Initiatives, for NBC Universal. This year's festival has added a new component call NBC You: Diversity Promo Festival, which provides viewers with an opportunity to create promos for some of NBC's most diverse shows. The submission window for that portion of the festival is currently open and will remain so until September 17, 2007.

The semi-finalist screening, hosted by the cast of NBC's "30 Rock," will begin at 7 p.m. on September 6 at the New World Stages in New York. Tickets are free and available to the public by reservation at www.nytvf.com . The finalists' films -- which will celebrate all aspects of NBC Universal's diversity efforts -- will be shown later at an exclusive industry event on October 3 in Los Angeles.

Select films from last year's inaugural festival will make their television debut on the Sundance Channel in early October while this year's ultimate finalists will be broadcast next year on the Sundance Channel.

Said Paula Madison, Executive Vice President of Diversity, NBC Universal: "This initiative is one of many innovative, new programs which will unite the NBC Universal family in our efforts to bring more diversity to our programming." (confirm quote) To emphasize that point, Universal Media Studios will offer a pilot script commitment this year to one of the finalist filmmakers.

For more information on Comedy Short Cuts, NBC YOU submission and to view streaming video of last year's finalists, users can go to www.CSCnbcuni.com <>.

[02/16/18 - 11:49 PM]Development Update: Friday, February 16Updates include: Madeline Stowe to star in FOX's "Mixtape"; Aunjanue Ellis set for lead role in "Chiefs" at CBS; and Lynn Collins among those bound for ABC's "Safe Harbor."